Cable entry device

ABSTRACT

A cable insertion device comprising a seat having an opening, and an engagement portion extending peripherally around the opening axis, the engagement portion having an outer surface and, recessed relative thereto, an inner surface. The engagement portion is circularly segmented into grip jaws capable of elastic deformation by slots extending right up to the seat. At their connection with the seat, the grip jaws are each fixed therein along a fixing zone tangent to a circumference centered on the seat opening axis, and, with the engagement portion, which is made of relatively rigid material, is associated a sealing member, extending globally transverse relative to the seat opening axis, concealing at least partially the opening, and the sealing member is made of a relatively flexible material. The invention is useful, in particular, for equipping any chamber, such as a cabinet or the like.

The present invention is generally concerned with cable entry devicesused to pass a cable of any kind through a wall of any kind to which itis sealed, for example for a cable to enter an enclosure of any kindsuch as a case, cabinet or other enclosure of such type in a sealedmanner.

It is more particularly concerned with cable entry devices having a seatwith an opening through which the cable is passed and an engagementportion extending annularly around the axis of the opening in the seat,the engagement portion having an outside wall that extends toward thefront and connecting it to the seat and an inside wall, set back towardthe rear relative to the outside wall, connected to the latter in aU-shape arrangement.

A cable entry device of the above kind is described in French patentapplication No. 2 402 323 filed as application No. 77 26710 on Sep. 2,1977.

In the above French patent application the entire device is made from anelastically deformable material.

Although an arrangement of the above kind is effective in terms ofproviding the required seal, the mechanical retention of the cable isrelatively mediocre.

International patent application No. W096/28862 proposes the use of jawsto assure this mechanical retention.

However, in the above international patent application the jaws are in aseparate chamber which leads to a relatively complex overallconstruction.

Furthermore, the corresponding cable entry device being made as twoshells which together form a globally parallelepiped-shape assembly,only two jaws can be provided and for the required mechanical retentionto be satisfactory in spite of this the jaws are in practice in the formof self-wedging catches which further complicates overall construction.

German patent application No. 35 33 418 counterpart U.S. Pat. No.4,686,738 also propose the use of jaws, in practice more than two jawswhich are circumferentially arranged about the axis of the assembly andseparated from each other by slots.

The jaws relate only to the inside wall of the engagement portion,however.

They are therefore relatively short.

They are also substantially rectilinear.

As a result, on the one hand, they are operative essentially throughtheir stiffness, like the claws of a washer with its inside peripherydivided into claws, which reduces the range of acceptable cablediameters, and, on the other hand, they have to be used in conjunctionwith actuator means, in this instance fingers forming part of the seat,and this leads to a relatively complex construction in which, formed ona component separate from the seat, the engagement portion is mobileaxially relative to the seat, in practice screw-fashion.

Although the above German patent application also discloses a seal, theseal is in the form of a ring to be clamped onto the cable concerned,which implies the use of particular cam arrangements.

In European patent No. 0 753 918, in which the engagement portion isreduced to a single cylindrical wall, the jaws are also in the form ofrelatively rigid tongues, to be more precise in the form of plates, andeach is articulated to the seat by a thinner area forming a hinge whichin practice is tangential to a circumference concentric with the axis ofthe opening in the seat.

However, as previously, the jaws are relatively short and substantiallyrectilinear so that, also as previously, they are operative essentiallythrough their stiffness, to the detriment of the range of acceptablecable diameters.

Also, ribs must be provided inside the engagement portion to providethem with additional support when necessary and project radially, to thedetriment of the available cross section of the engagement portion.

Finally, in European patent application No. 0 753 918 there is nosealing member.

A general aim of the present invention is an arrangement which overcomesthe above drawbacks.

To be more precise, the present invention consists in a cable entrydevice of the kind including a seat which has an opening through which acable can be passed and an engagement portion which extends annularlyaround the axis of the opening in the seat, this engagement portionhaving an outside wall which extends toward the front and which isjoined to the seat and an inside wall set back rearwardly relative tothe outside wall and joined thereto in a U-shaped configuration,characterized in that, conjointly, the engagement portion iscircumferentially divided into elastically deformable jaws by slots thatextend as far as the seat, in that, where they join onto the seat, thejaws are each embedded therein in a root area tangential to acircumference concentric with the axis of the opening in the seat, andin that the engagement portion which is made of a relatively rigidmaterial is associated with a sealing member globally transverse to theaxis of the opening in the seat, at least partly shutting off thatopening and made of a relatively flexible material.

Because of their shape and size, and because of the manner in which theyare connected to the seat from which they arise, the jaws of the cableentry device in accordance with the invention are essentially operativein bending when a cable is engaged between them.

They therefore cater for a wide range of cable diameters of which theyprovide effective mechanical retention.

More generally the arrangement in accordance with the invention, whichlends itself to many different embodiments, has the advantage ofreconciling good mechanical retention of the cable with a good sealaround the cable.

The features and advantages of the invention will emerge further fromthe following description given by way of example with reference to theaccompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cable entry device in accordance withthe invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the device;

FIG. 3 is an elevation view of its front portion as seen in thedirection of the arrow III in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows the detail IV from FIG. 3 to a larger scale;

FIG. 5 is a view of the front portion in cross section taken along theline V—V in FIG. 3 and to a different scale;

FIG. 6 is an elevation view of the rear portion of the cable entrydevice concerned as seen in the direction of the arrow VI in FIG. 2;

FIG. 7 is a view of the rear portion in cross section taken along theline VII—VII in FIG. 6 and to a larger scale;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view derived from that of FIG. 1 showing how thecable entry device of the invention is used;

FIG. 9 is a view of the assembly in cross section taken along the lineIX—IX in FIG. 8 and to a larger scale;

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic view in cross section showing how the jaws ofthe cable entry device of the invention work;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view analogous to that of FIG. 1 showing avariant of the cable entry device of the invention;

FIG. 12 is a view of this variant in axial section taken along the lineXII—XII in FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of this variant;

FIG. 14 is a locally cut away plan view of the front part of thisembodiment as seen in the direction of the arrow XIV in FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the rear portion of this variant, shownin isolation;

FIG. 16 is an elevation view of the rear portion as seen in thedirection of the arrow XVI in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 a top view of it as seen in the direction of the arrow XVII inFIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a view in cross section of this variant, similar to that ofFIG. 9, but with an axial arrangement that is the opposite of that ofFIG. 9;

FIG. 19 is a view in cross section analogous to that of FIG. 12 showinga further development of this variant;

FIG. 20 is an elevation view analogous to that of FIG. 16 and relatingto the aforementioned development;

FIG. 21 is a view in cross section analogous to that of FIG. 12 andrelating to another variant of the cable entry device of the invention;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of an entity comprising a plurality ofcable entry devices in accordance with thee invention seen from thefront;

FIG. 23 is a partly exploded perspective view of the aforementionedentity seen from the rear;

FIG. 24 is a view in cross section analogous to that of FIG. 12 andrelating to another variant of the cable entry device in accordance withthe invention;

FIG. 25 is an exploded view in cross section of the latter variant.

As shown diagrammatically in FIGS. 8, 9 and 18 the overall aim is toconvey at least one cable 11 which is in practice an electrical cable ina sealed manner through a wall of any kind, not shown in the figures.

A cable entry device 12 is used for this purpose, in a manner that isknown in itself.

In a manner that is also known in itself the cable entry device 12includes a seat 13 which has an opening 14 for the cable to pass throughand an engagement portion 15 extending annularly around the axis A ofthe opening 14 in the seat 13.

In practice, the opening 14 has a circular contour and its diameter issignificantly greater than that of the cable 11 to be inserted in it.

The axis A of the opening 14 is shown in chain-dotted line in FIGS. 1, 2and 4 and its position is also shown in FIGS. 3 and 6.

In a manner that is known in itself the engagement portion 15 has anoutside wall 16 extending toward the front and connecting it to the seat13, extending in practice in the manner of a right cylinder from theedge of the opening 14 in the base 13, and an inside wall 18 set back tothe rear relative to the outside wall 16, connecting to it in a U-shapearrangement.

In accordance with the invention the engagement portion 15 is dividedcircumferentially into elastically deformable jaws 19, 19′ in a mannerdescribed in more detail hereinafter and the engagement portion 15,which is made of a relatively rigid material, is associated with asealing member 20 extending globally transversely to the axis A of theopening 14 in the seat 13 and at least partly shutting off the opening14. The member 20 is made from a relatively flexible material.

In the present context the expression “relatively rigid material” simplymeans a material for the engagement portion 15 which is more rigid thanthe material from which the sealing member 20 is made.

In other words, the stiffness of the engagement portion 15 and theflexibility of the sealing member 20 are in the present context simplyto be understood as defined relative to each other.

In all the embodiments shown the sealing member 20 is to the rear of theengagement portion 15.

To be more precise, in the embodiments shown, the cable entry device 12in accordance with the invention includes a rear portion 22 attached toand separate from the seat 13 and including an opening 23 coaxial withthe opening 14 in the seat 13, and the sealing member 20 is at least inpart operative between the engagement portion 15 and the rear portion22.

In the embodiment more particularly shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 the seat 13includes a plate 21 and the rear portion 22 forms a counter-platesubstantially parallel to the plate 21.

The plate 21 and the rear portion 22 are of indeterminate size and oneof them could be continuous with the wall through which the cable is tobe passed.

This is why their contours are shown in chain-dotted line in FIGS. 1, 2,3, 6 and 8.

For convenience, these contours are assumed to be square with roundedcorners.

They could equally well have any other configuration, however.

Additionally, in this embodiment, the sealing member 20 is also aseparate part and is operative between the plate 21 of the seat 13 andthe counter-plate formed by the rear portion 22.

As in all the embodiments shown, the engagement portion 15 preferablyprojects at least in part toward the front on the seat 13.

In the embodiment particularly shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 the engagementportion 15 as a whole projects toward the front on the seat 13, to bemore precise on the plate 21 thereof.

As shown here, for example, the engagement portion 15 is molded in onepiece with the seat 13.

The assembly is made from any of the following materials, for example:PA (polyamide) 6.6, PC (polycarbonate), rigid PVC (polyvinyl chloride),ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene), PP (polypropylene) or a mixtureof such materials, for example a mixture of PC and ABS.

Be this as it may, the base 13 and the engagement portion 15 togetherform the front portion of the cable entry device 12 in this embodiment.

In this embodiment the sealing member 20 is preferably made of anelastically deformable material.

As in all the embodiments shown, the engagement portion 15 includes atleast one jaw 19 of a first type, referred to herein for convenienceonly as a long jaw 19, the end of which when unstressed envelops arelatively narrow passage P, and at least one jaw 19′ of a second type,referred to herein for convenience only as a short jaw 19′, the end ofwhich when unstressed envelops a relatively wide passage P′.

As shown here, for example, the engagement portion 15 comprisesalternating long jaws 19 and short jaws 19′.

Thus in the various embodiments shown there are three long jaws 19alternating with three short jaws 19′.

All the jaws 19, 19′ have a globally triangular contour convergingtoward the axis A of the opening 14 in the seat 13 and terminating in acircular arc at a distance from the axis A to define the correspondingpassage P, P′.

Like the opening 14 in the seat 13, with which they are concentric, thepassages P, P′ have circular contours but their diameters are less thanthat of the opening 14, the diameter of the passage P being itself lessthan the diameter of the passage P′.

In the embodiment more particularly shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 the jaws 19,19′ are quasi-adjacent each other along the whole of their lateraledges, which are substantially rectilinear.

In axial section the jaws 19, 19′ have a globally U-shape profile.

To be more precise, in axial section they have a rounded profile alongthe inside wall 18 of the engagement portion 15 and a substantiallyrectilinear profile along the outside wall 16 thereof. Where the insidewall 18 and the outside wall 16 join, the long jaws 19 have a flat 24substantially perpendicular to the axis A of the opening 14 in the seat13.

In the various embodiments shown the corresponding passage P, P′ isdefined by the jaws 19, 19′ by means of an end section 25 which, whenunstressed, is substantially parallel to the axis A of the opening 14 inthe seat 13.

In accordance with the invention the engagement portion 15 is dividedcircumferentially into jaws 19, 19′ by radially elongate slots 26 in astar-like configuration about the axis A of the opening 14 in the seat13, extending as far as the seat 13 and therefore affecting both theinside wall 18 of the engagement portion 15 and its outside wall 16,running the entire height thereof.

In accordance with the invention, where they join onto the seat 13 thejaws 19, 19′ are each embedded in it in a root area Z tangential to acircumference C centered on the axis A of the opening 14 in the seat 13.

In the embodiments shown the circumference C is the same for all of thejaws 19, 19′.

In the embodiment more particularly shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 the slots 26extend as far as a flange 27 where the outside wall 16 of the engagementportion 15 joins onto the seat 13.

As shown here, for example, the edge of the flange 27 forms a hexagon.

As in all the embodiments shown, the jaws 19, 19′ formed by theengagement wall 15 preferably have at least one detent 28 projectingtransversely from their outside surface toward the axis A of the opening14 of the seat 13.

In the embodiment more particularly shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 there is onlyone such detent 28 at the root of the end portion 25 of the jaws 19, 19′and it is substantially perpendicular to the axis A of the opening 14 inthe seat 13.

In this embodiment the sealing member 20 is locally part of a plate 30sandwiched between the plate 21 of the seat 13 and the rear portion 22.

As shown, the thickness E of the plate 30 is preferably a multiple n ofthickness e of the plate 21 of the seat 13 (see FIG. 2).

For example, n is at least equal to three.

For example, the sealing member 20 can at least initially be continuous,i.e. solid, having no bore in it and even no bore precursor.

It then completely shuts off the opening 14 in the seat 13.

It must therefore be forcibly perforated when the cable 11 is inserted,for example using a screwdriver or any other accessory.

The plate 30 of which the sealing member 20 is part is made of foamrubber, for example.

In this embodiment the counter-plate formed by the rear portion 22 isglobally parallel to the plate 21 of the seat 13.

Like the engagement portion 15 it is made of a relatively rigidmaterial.

It is made from the same material as the engagement portion 15, forexample.

In all the embodiments shown the rear portion 22 includes a web 31 whichat least partly shuts off its opening 23 and which is dividedcircumferentially into elastically deformable jaws 32.

In the embodiment more particularly shown in FIGS. 1 to 9 the web 31 ofthe rear portion 22 is thinner than the counter-plate that the rearportion 22 forms around it, that thickness being itself substantiallyequal to the thickness e of the plate 21 of the seat 13.

As shown here, for example, the web 31 of the rear portion 22 is levelon the outside with the outside surface 33 of the counter-plate that therear portion 22 forms around it (see FIG. 6) and it is operative at thebottom of a recess 34 on its inside surface 35.

Like the jaws 19, 19′ of the engagement portion 15, the jaws 32 of therear portion 22 have a triangular contour when seen in plan view,converging toward the axis A of the opening 14 in the seat 13 andterminating in a circular arc at a distance from that axis A.

In the embodiments shown there are six jaws 32 and they are all the samesize.

However, as previously, there can be long jaws 32 and short jaws 32.

In practice the jaws 32 formed by the web 31 of the rear portion 22 areseparated from each other by radially elongate slots 36 in a star-likeconfiguration around the axis A of the opening 14 in the seat 13.

In the embodiments shown the jaws 32 are of reducing thickness fromtheir root to their free end.

As in the embodiment more particularly shown in FIGS. 1 to 8, the jaws32 of the rear portion 22 are face to face with the respective jaws 19,19′ of the engagement portion 15, for example.

However, they can instead be offset circumferentially relative to thelatter.

In this embodiment the rear portion 22 is crimped to the plate 21 of theseat 13.

As shown here, for example, the plate 21 carries a plurality ofprojecting crimping lugs 37 which are circumferentially distributedaround the axis A of the opening 14 in the seat 13 and which, afterpassing through the sealing member 20, pass through bores 38 in the rearportion 22 in corresponding relationship thereto.

As in the embodiment shown, the crimping lugs 37 preferably have atransverse shoulder 39 against which the rear portion 22 abuts and whichthereby form a spacer.

They are afterwards simply heated and crimped over the rear portion 22.

The cable 11 is inserted from the front, in the direction of the arrowFl in FIGS. 7 and 8.

During its insertion, the jaws 19, 19′ on the engagement portion 15 arepushed back radially in the direction away from the axis A of theopening 14 in the seat 13.

Initially (FIG. 10A) because of their elasticity the inside branches ofthe jaws 19, 19′corresponding to the inside wall 18 of the engagementportion 15 simply flex, rotating relative to the outside wall 16 of theengagement portion 15, as indicated by arrows F2, F′2 in FIG. 10A.

As the cable 11 is inserted further (FIG. 10B) this elasticity adds tosuch rotation initial flexing outward of the outside branch of the jaws19, 19′ corresponding to the outside wall 16 of the engagement portion15, as indicated by arrows F3, F′3 in FIG. 10B, just as if, because itis rooted to the seat 13, the outside branch of the jaws 19, 19′ wereoperative in the manner of a built-in beam.

This flexing of the outside branch of the jaws 19, 19′ is thenaccentuated (FIG. 10B) until the final configuration shown in FIG. 10Bis reached.

Accordingly the jaws 19, 19′ are operative elastically over the whole oftheir length, as much by movement toward each other of their twobranches as by flexing of their outside branch.

The cable is forced through the sealing member 20 and the jaws 32 of therear portion 22 are themselves pushed backwards, in the direction of thearrows F4 in FIG. 9.

The mechanical retention of the cable 11 is assured by friction,essentially by the jaws 19, 19′ of the engagement portion 15, but alsoby the sealing member 20 and by the jaws 32 of the rear portion 22.

Because they are different lengths the jaws 19, 19′ of the engagementportion 15, or rather their detents 28, are advantageously operative attwo different levels, namely (see FIG. 9) at a level N relatively closeto the plate 21 of the seat 13, in the case of the long jaws 19 and alevel N′ relatively far from the plate 21, in the case of the short jaws19′.

This strengthens the required mechanical retention.

The seal is provided by the sealing member 20, which grips the cable 11continuously all around the exterior of the cable 11.

Clearly the rear portion 22 advantageously holds the sealing member 20in place, by confining it, and prevents it bursting when perforated.

It additionally and advantageously contributes to guiding the cable 11by holding it perpendicular to the plate 21 of the seat 13 andstrengthens its mechanical retention.

Because of the overall capacity for elastic deformation, the cable entrydevice 12 of the invention advantageously suits an entire range ofcables 11 with different diameters.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11 to 25 the cable entry device 12 ofthe invention includes a cap 40 which covers its engagement portion 15.

The cap 40 has a lateral wall 41 surrounding the outside wall 16 of theengagement portion 15 and a front wall 42 in front of the engagementportion 15.

The side wall 41 at least is made of a relatively rigid material and thefront wall 42 includes a closure 44 which can be pushed in and whichcovers a part of its surface. The closure is made from a relativelyflexible material.

The side wall 41 is made from the same material as the engagementportion 15 and the rear portion 22, for example, and the closure 44which can be pressed in is made of an elastomer.

In the embodiment shown the front wall 42 has at its periphery andcontinuous with the side wall 41 a washer 45 which is in one piece withthe side wall 41.

In this case the closure 44 that can be pressed in covers only a portionof the surface of the front wall 42, here its central portion.

In the embodiments shown the side wall 41 of the cap 40 has an annularrib 46 projecting from its outside surface halfway up its height andadapted to serve as a guard through which the assembly bears on a wall47 to be equipped with the cable entry device, as shown in chain-dottedline in FIG. 10, bearing either against the outside surface of the wall47 or against its inside surface.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11 to 25 the seat 13 is reduced to acylinder 48 and the rear portion 22 includes a cylinder 50 with ashoulder 51 bracing the seat 13 formed by the cylinder 48.

In these embodiments the cap 40 and the rear portion 22 are fastenedtogether.

As shown here, for example, the cylinder 50 of the rear portion 22 hasaround but set back from its shoulder 51 a shoulder 52 against whichbears the edge of the side wall 41 of the cap 40 and the cap 40 isattached to the rear portion 22 at this level, by welding or otherwise,for example by ultrasound welding.

Be this as it may, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11 to 25 the cap 40and the rear portion 22 together delimit an enclosure 53 in which theengagement portion 15 and the seat 13 to which it is attached aretrapped.

As shown here, for example, the outside surface of the cylinder 48 ofthe seat 13 bears against the inside surface of the side wall 41 of thecap 40.

Similarly, the top area of the engagement portion 15 can if requiredbear on the washer 45 of the front wall 42 of the cap 40.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11 to 25 the slots 26 between the jaws19, 19′ are substantially wider at the level of the seat 13 tofacilitate the movement of the jaws 19, 19′.

As shown here, for example, they have a width Li at the level of theseat 13 greater than one third the width L2 of the jaws 19, 19′ at thissame level.

In these embodiments the lateral edges of the inside branch of the jaws19, 19′ are globally rounded.

In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11 to 25 the sealing member is moldedonto at least a portion of the rear portion 22.

As shown here, for example it is molded onto the web 31 of the rearportion 22.

In a non-illustrated embodiment, the sealing member is on both sides ofthe web 31 of the rear portion 22, totally enclosing the jaws 32 of theweb 31.

In other words, it extends over the front face of the web 31, i.e. theface thereof facing toward the engagement portion 15, and over the rearface of the web 31, i.e. the face thereof facing away from theengagement portion 15. According to an alternative embodiment, also notshown, the sealing member extends over only the rear surface of the rearportion and not over the front surface of the rar portion as illustratedin FIG. 9.

Moreover, in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 11 to 23 the sealing member20 includes an opening 54 coaxially with the opening 14 in the seat 13.

Finally, in these embodiments, the web 31 of the rear portion 22 isglobally frustoconical with its concave side facing toward theengagement portion 15.

As in the embodiments shown, the sealing member 20 preferably forms atube 55 beyond the free end of the jaws 32 of the web 31 of the rearportion 22 and the tube extends axially away from the engagement portion15. The opening 54 of the sealing member 20 is at the end of the tube.

As in the embodiments shown, the tube 55 formed in this way by thesealing member 20 is preferably frustoconical with a smaller cone anglethan the web 31 of the rear portion 22.

In other words, the half-angle at the apex of the frustoconical tube 55of the sealing member 20 is less than the half-angle at the apex of thefrustoconical web 31 of the rear portion 22.

The sealing member 20 is made of an elastomer, for example.

The remaining features are as before.

The device is also used as before (see FIG. 15), by forcibly passing thecable 1′ through the press-in closure 44 in the cap 40.

To facilitate this insertion a disc can be pre-cut in the central areaof the press-in closure 44.

As previously and as shown in chain-dotted line in FIG. 18 the cableentry device 12 of the invention advantageously caters for cables 11with different diameters.

Clearly, in all cases the side wall 41 of the cap 40 advantageouslyprevents excessive movement apart of the jaws 19, 19′ of the engagementportion 15.

It therefore contributes to more effective mechanical retention of thecable 11.

Also, and most importantly, it advantageously opposes penetration ofwater into the engagement portion 15 and thereby prevents wateraccumulating on the upstream said of the sealing member 20, to thebenefit of the required watertight closure.

The elastomer from which the press-in closure 44 is made is translucentor even transparent so that the interior volume of the cable entrydevice 12 of the invention can be seen.

Clearly the jaws 32 in the web 31 of the rear portion 22 advantageouslyconstitute an armature for the sealing member 20, to the benefit of itsmechanical strength.

Operative at the surface of the rear portion 22, the sealing member 20also and advantageously facilitates sliding of the cable 11 along thelatter and provides the required seal around the cable 11.

A tool, not shown, in the form of a canula can advantageously beprovided to facilitate removal of the cable, if required.

As shown in FIG. 19, if required a plug 56 can be provided to plug andseal the cable entry device 12 after a first use by shutting off thepress-in closure 44 of the cap 40 of the cable entry device 12, whichwill then have been pressed in.

As shown here, for example, the plug 56 includes a plate 57 which bearson the washer 45 on the front wall 42 of the cap 40 and a globallyfrustoconical boss 58 projecting from the inside surface of the plate 57which enters the press-in closure 44, progressively pushing it back inthe radial direction.

As shown in FIG. 17, the plug 56 can if required be molded in one piecewith the rear portion 22.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 21 the sealing member 20 extends overonly the front face of the rear portion 22.

In another embodiment that is not shown the sealing member 20 extendsover only the rear face of the rear portion 22.

In both cases other features are as before.

In the foregoing description the cable entry device 12 of the inventionis operative on its own and there is only one cable 11.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 it is associated with atleast one other cable entry device 12 of the same kind and another cable11, not shown, sharing a common plate 21, 21′ with the other cable entrydevice 12.

As shown here, for example, it is associated with a plurality of othercable entry devices 12 for the same number of cables 11.

In these figures the cable entry devices 12 are identical and are of thetype described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 21.

Their common plate 21′ is substituted for the rib 46 on their cap 40.

In other words, their cap 40 is in one piece with the plate 21′ theyshare with at least one other.

As shown in FIG. 23, all that is then required is to stack successivelyinto each cap 40, first the combination of an engagement portion 15 withthe seat 13 to which it is attached, then the combination of the rearportion 22 and the sealing member 20 covering its web 31, and then weldthe rear portion 22 to the cap 40, as described above.

As shown here, for example, the various cable entry devices 12associated in this manner are disposed in rows, possibly staggered rows.

With their common plate 21′ they constitute an entity 59 which, ifrequired, can advantageously be fixed, for example welded, clipped orscrewed, to any wall having a corresponding opening, possibly with aseal around the opening in the wall.

Alternatively, the cable entry device 12 of an entity 59 of the abovekind can be of the type described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 9.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 21 and 22 the cable entry device 12 ofthe invention is used on its own, in the manner of a stuffing gland.

The cable entry device 12 is, for example, globally of the typedescribed with reference to FIGS. 11 to 21.

However, its cap 40 is screwed to the rear portion 22.

As shown here, for example, the rear portion 22 has a sleeve 60 beyondand coaxial with its cylinder 50 and which has a screw threaded insidesurface.

The outside surface of the side wall 41 of the cap 40 is correspondinglyscrew threaded beyond its rib 46.

In this embodiment the sealing member 20 completely shuts off theopening 14 in the seat 13, the end of the tube 55 formed by the sealingmember 20 being closed by a closure 62. The present invention is clearlynot limited to the embodiments described and shown but encompasses anyvariant execution and/or combination of their various component parts,especially with regard to the number and/or the distribution and/or theconfiguration of the jaws of the engagement portion.

What is claimed is:
 1. Cable entry device comprising a seat having anopening with an axis, said opening being adapted for the passage of acable and an engagement portion, said engagement portion having anoutside wall forwardly extending from said seat and an inside wallextending rearwardly from said outside wall, said engagement portionbeing made of relative rigid material and comprising plural elasticallydeformable jaws arranged circumferentially and separated from oneanother by slots, said slots extending along said inside and outsidewalls of said engagement portion and rearwardly at least as far as saidmounting seat, said jaws being joined to a root area tangential to acircumference concentric with said opening, and a sealing member made ofrelatively flexible material and disposed transversely to said axis,said sealing member at least partially shutting off said opening andcooperable with a cable passing through said opening.
 2. Cable entrydevice according to claim 1, wherein said jaws include long jawsdefining a relatively narrow passage when unstressed and short jawsdefine a relatively large passage when unstressed.
 3. Cable entry deviceaccording to claim 2, wherein said long jaws and short jawscircumferentially alternate.
 4. Cable entry device according to claim 1,wherein each of said jaws has along said inside wall at least onetransverse detent projecting toward said axis.
 5. Cable entry deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said jaws in said inside wall are oftriangular contour when viewed rearwardly along said axis.
 6. Cableentry device according to claim 1, wherein the slots between adjacentones of said jaws have a circumferential width greater than one thirdthe circumferential width of said jaws proximate to said root areas. 7.Cable entry device according to claim 1, wherein said sealing member ismade of an elastically deformable material.
 8. Cable entry deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said sealing member is of closed annularconfiguration.
 9. Cable entry device according to claim 1, wherein saidsealing member is located rearwardly of said engagement portion. 10.Cable entry device according to claim 1, further comprising a rearportion disposed rearwardly of said seat said and attached thereto, saidrear portion having an opening coaxial with said opening in said seat.11. Cable entry device according to claim 10, wherein said seat includesa plate, said rear portion defining a counter-plate substantiallyparallel to said plate, and said sealing member is operatively mountedbetween said plate and said counter-plate.
 12. Cable entry deviceaccording to claim 11, wherein said rear portion comprises a webdefining said opening in said rear portion, said web being thinner thansaid counter-plate.
 13. Cable entry device according to claim 11,wherein sealing member comprises part of another plate sandwichedbetween said plate of said seat and said counter-plate.
 14. Cable entrydevice according to claim 13, wherein said other plate has a thicknesswhich is a multiple of the thickness of said plate of said seat. 15.Cable entry device according to claim 14, wherein said other plate ismade of foam rubber.
 16. Cable entry device according to claim 10,wherein said sealing member is in overmolded relationship with said rearportion.
 17. Cable entry device according to claim 16, wherein said seatcomprises a first cylindrical portion, and said rear portion thatcomprises a second cylindrical portion, said second cylindrical portionbracing said first cylindrical portion.
 18. Cable entry device accordingto claim 16, wherein said sealing member has an opening therein alignedwith said opening in said seat.
 19. Cable entry device according toclaim 16, wherein said sealing member is made of elastomeric material.20. Cable entry device according to claim 16, wherein said rear portioncomprises a web defining said opening therein, said web being generallyfrustoconical, said frustoconical web having a concave side facingtoward said engagement portion and at a location beyond said elasticallydeformable jaws, said sealing member also including a tube extendingaxially away from said engagement portion.
 21. Cable entry deviceaccording to claim 20, wherein said tube is also frustoconical, saidtube having a cone angle smaller than the cone angle of saidfrustoconical web.
 22. Cable entry device according to claim 16, whereinsaid rear portion comprises a web defining said opening in said rearportion, said sealing member being in overmolded relationship with saidweb.
 23. Cable entry device according to claim 22, wherein said sealingmember extends over a forward face of said rear portion.
 24. Cable entrydevice according to claim 22, wherein said sealing member extends over arear face of said rear portion.
 25. Cable entry device according toclaim 22, wherein said sealing member extends on respective oppositesides of said web, said sealing member totally surrounding saidelastically deformable jaws of said rear portion.
 26. Cable entry deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said rear portion includes an opening,circumferentially spaced elastically deformable jaws extending radiallyinto said opening in said rear portion.
 27. Cable entry device accordingto claim 1, wherein said sealing member is operatively mounted betweensaid engagement portion and said rear portion.
 28. Cable entry deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein said sealing member is annular butsubstantially closed at said axis when unstressed.
 29. Cable entrydevice according to claim 1, wherein a flange joins said outside wall tosaid seat.
 30. Cable entry device according to claim 1, wherein saidengagement portion is in one piece with said seat.
 31. Cable entrydevice according to claim 1, wherein the cable entry device operates asa single stuffing gland.
 32. Cable entry device according to claim 1,wherein said engagement portion extends substantially entirely forwardlyof said seat.
 33. Double cable entry device according to claim 1,wherein said seat comprises a plate, and further comprising another saidcable entry device arranged opposite and aligned with the firstmentioned cable entry device, said plate being common to said seats ofboth of the cable entry devices.
 34. Double cable entry device accordingto claim 33, wherein said seat comprises a plate, and further comprisinganother said cable entry device arranged opposite d aligned with thefirst mentioned cable entry device, said plate being common to saidseats of both of the cable entry devices.
 35. Cable entry deviceaccording to claim 1, further comprising a cap covering said engagementportion.
 36. Cable entry device according to claim 35, wherein said capcomprises a sidewall extending around said outside wall and a front wallforwardly of said engagement portion, at least said sidewall being madeof a relatively rigid material, said front wall including a push-inclosure which is made of relatively flexible material.
 37. Cable entrydevice according to claim 36, further comprising a rear portion disposedrearwardly of said seat and attached thereto, said rear portion havingan opening coaxial with said opening in said seat, wherein said cap isattached to said rear portion and defines with said rear portion anenclosure, said engagement portion and said mounting seat being heldcaptive in said enclosure.
 38. Cable entry device according to claim 37,wherein said cap is welded to said rear portion.
 39. Cable entry deviceaccording to claim 37, wherein said cap is screwed onto said rearportion.